Youngstown, Ohio -- The Youngstown State softball team won for the third straight time after sweeping Niagara in a non-league doubleheader, 2-1, 4-2, on Thursday afternoon at the Covelli Sports Complex.

The Penguins improve to 17-16 overall while the Purple Eagles fall to 2-21.

In the opener, junior Devan Ryan struck out two in six innings pitched to pick up her seventh win of the season.

Junior Sara Fessler was hit by a pitch, stole second, and advanced to third and scored on wild pitches to give the Penguins a 1-0 lead.

The Penguins extended their lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth.Conchetta Rinaldi led off the frame with a single to left field and pinch-runner Ashlyn Bishop advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt.

Bree Kohler's slow-rolling infield single plated Bishop from second to give the Penguins the two-run lead.

After the Purple Eagles scored in the top of the sixth, junior Sophie Howell earned her first save of the season after striking out two in the seventh inning.

In the nightcap, Elyssa Imler belted a two-run home run and senior Megan Turner ripped a two-run double to lead the Penguins to a 4-2 victory.

Bree Kohler earned her third win of the season while Howell earned her second save after striking out four in 2.2 innings pitched.

Youngstown State hosts Robert Morris in a doubleheader, Tuesday, April 11. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. at the Covelli Sports Complex.